PRESSURIZABLE FLUID CONTAINER AND FLEXIBLE DISPENSER
20190217312 ยท 2019-07-18
Inventors
Cpc classification
F16K7/066
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A61M39/286
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B05B15/40
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B9/0816
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B9/0822
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B7/2418
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16K7/065
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B05B1/30
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B7/2424
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61M39/287
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B05B1/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B05B1/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F16K7/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B05B1/30
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B9/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B05B11/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61M39/28
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A flexible dispensing apparatus for coupling to pressurized fluid containers is described. it includes a flexible tube and a handle assembly. The handle assembly houses a second end of the tube. The handle assembly has a first side connected to a second side, a slide trigger, a roller coupled to the bottom of the slide trigger with a dowel pin, a spray nozzle assembly, a magnet reservoir, and a magnet. The first side has an inclined ramp that runs along a length of the first side and extends into the second side above and beyond a seam that is formed by the connection of the two sides. The tube is within a channel in the handle assembly formed between the inclined ramp and the roller. When the roller is rolled toward the end of the ramp it pinches the flexible tube near the top of the inclined ramp.
Claims
1. A flexible dispensing apparatus for coupling to pressurized fluid containers, said flexible dispensing apparatus comprising: a flexible tube with a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a nozzle connector for connecting the flexible tube to a pressurized fluid container; and a handle assembly housing the second end of the flexible tube, the handle assembly comprising a first side connected to a second side, a slide trigger, a roller coupled to the bottom of the slide trigger with a dowel pin, a spray nozzle assembly, a magnet reservoir, and a magnet, wherein the first side of the handle assembly has an integrated inclined ramp that runs along a length of the first side and extends into the second side above and beyond a seam that is formed by the connection of the two sides, and wherein the flexible tube is housed within a channel in the handle assembly formed between the inclined ramp and the roller, such that when the roller is rolled toward the end of the ramp with the slide trigger it pinches the flexible tube near the top of the inclined ramp thereby prohibiting the flow of fluid to the spray nozzle assembly.
2. The flexible dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle assembly forms a triple type variable spray nozzle comprising a first threaded nozzle formed integrally with a distal end of the first side of the handle assembly, a barbed fitting with a proximal end that is nested within the first threaded nozzle, a shower type outlet nozzle with three or more shower holes, the shower type outlet nozzle being coupled to a distal end of the barbed fitting, and an outlet cap having a single fluid outlet hole, wherein the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle, the outlet cap having a threaded portion that mates with the first threaded nozzle by screwing the outlet cap onto the first threaded nozzle, wherein the triple type variable spray nozzle is capable of releasing pressurized fluid as a stream or as a mist by adjusting how tightly the outlet cap is screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, or as a shower spray by completely removing the outlet cap.
3. The flexible dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first threaded nozzle comprises a pair of opposing anti-rotation notches that mate with a pair of corresponding anti-rotation protuberances on the shower type outlet nozzle, such that when the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle and screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, the shower type outlet nozzle is prohibited from rotating with the outlet cap.
4. A fluid containment and delivery system comprising: a pressurized fluid container having a cap comprising a threaded cap nozzle; and a flexible dispensing apparatus, said flexible dispensing apparatus comprising: a flexible tube with a first end and a second end, said first end comprising a threaded nozzle connector for connecting the flexible tube to the threaded cap nozzle of the pressurized fluid container; and a handle assembly housing the second end of the flexible tube, the handle assembly comprising a first side connected to a second side, a slide trigger, a roller coupled to the bottom of the slide trigger with a dowel pin, a spray nozzle assembly, a magnet reservoir, and a magnet, wherein the first side of the handle assembly has an integrated inclined ramp that runs along a length of the first side and extends into the second side above and beyond a seam that is formed by the connection of the two sides, and wherein the flexible tube is housed within a channel in the handle assembly formed between the inclined ramp and the roller, such that when the roller is rolled toward the end of the ramp with the slide trigger it pinches the flexible tube near the top of the inclined ramp thereby prohibiting the flow of fluid to the spray nozzle assembly.
5. The fluid containment and delivery system of claim 4, wherein the spray nozzle assembly forms a triple type variable spray nozzle comprising a first threaded nozzle formed integrally with a distal end of the first side of the handle assembly, a barbed fitting with a proximal end that is nested within the first threaded nozzle, a shower type outlet nozzle with three or more shower holes, the shower type outlet nozzle being coupled to a distal end of the barbed fitting, and an outlet cap having a single fluid outlet hole, wherein the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle, the outlet cap having a threaded portion that mates with the first threaded nozzle by screwing the outlet cap onto the first threaded nozzle, wherein the triple type variable spray nozzle is capable of releasing pressurized fluid as a stream or as a mist by adjusting how tightly the outlet cap is screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, or as a shower spray by completely removing the outlet cap.
6. The fluid containment and delivery system of claim 5, wherein the first threaded nozzle comprises a pair of opposing anti-rotation notches that mate with a pair of corresponding anti-rotation protuberances on the shower type outlet nozzle, such that when the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle and screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, the shower type outlet nozzle is prohibited from rotating with the outlet cap.
7. A triple type variable spray nozzle comprising: a first threaded nozzle formed integrally with a cap of a pressurized fluid container or a handle assembly of a flexible dispensing apparatus; a barbed fitting with a proximal end that is nested within the first threaded nozzle; a shower type outlet nozzle with three or more shower holes, the shower type outlet nozzle being coupled to a distal end of the barbed fitting, and an outlet cap having a single fluid outlet hole, wherein the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle, the outlet cap having a threaded portion that mates with the first threaded nozzle by screwing the outlet cap onto the first threaded nozzle, wherein the triple type variable spray nozzle is capable of releasing pressurized fluid as a stream or as a mist by adjusting how tightly the outlet cap is screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, or as a shower spray by completely removing the outlet cap.
8. The triple type variable spray nozzle of claim 7, wherein the first threaded nozzle comprises a pair of opposing anti-rotation notches that mate with a pair of corresponding anti-rotation protuberances on the shower type outlet nozzle, such that when the outlet cap is fitted over the shower type outlet nozzle and screwed onto the first threaded nozzle, the shower type outlet nozzle is prohibited from rotating with the outlet cap.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] Various embodiments or examples may be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a process, or an apparatus. A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with the accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such examples, but is not limited to any particular example. The scope is limited only by the claims and numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the described techniques may be practiced according to the claims without some or all ofthese specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the examples has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. Components, elements or parts shown in some figures may be combined with components, elements or parts shown in other figures, and various aspects of each embodiment may be combined or incorporated into other embodiments.
[0034] Referring now to
[0035] In one or more embodiments, body 102 may have a threaded portion (not pictured here) upon which the cap 110 (sometimes referred to as a lid) may be screwed onto. Plunger 112 is disposed through the cap 110 and is used to pressurize the body 102. Adjustable spray screw cap 118 is threaded onto nozzle base 116. By turning the adjustable spray screw cap 118, the position of spray nozzle 120 is modified within nozzle base 116 thus changing the characteristics of the spray. For example, the tighter the spray screw cap 118 is screwed onto the nozzle base 116 the finer the mist that is released through the opening in the spray screw cap 118. As the spray screw cap 118 is loosened (turned in the opposite direction), the mist turns into a stream rather than a mist.
[0036] In one embodiment, as shown in
[0037] Returning now to
[0038] Referring now to
[0039] The plunger shaft 302 is disposed through an opening 306 in the teeter valve 204, and opening 306 is preferably in the center of the teeter valve 204. The teeter valve 204 pivots on an axis through the cap 110 and that axis is aligned with the teeter valve pivots 114, which are on opposite sides of the teeter valve 204. Opening 306 is aligned with the pivot axis, i.e., it is aligned with the teeter valve pivots 114. This pivot is accomplished by a pair of teeter valve flanges 308 projecting down on the underside of the teeter valve 204 and on opposite sides of the teeter valve 204. Pivot tabs 310 are located at the lower tips of the teeter valve flanges 308. These pivot tabs 310 extend partially into the teeter valve pivots 114 in the cap 110.
[0040] Referring now to
[0041] In one embodiment, cap 110 is removably connected to body 102 by a threaded portion 320 of body 102 and a mirror threaded portion (not pictured here) on the interior of cap 110. To further seal this connection, a washer 312 is disposed between the body 102 and the cap 110.
[0042] The stopper 304 is disposed within the pump shaft 316. The pump shaft 316 has two ends, an upper end which has a threaded portion 318 and a lower end (not pictured here). The threaded portion 318 of the pump shaft 316 is rotatably attached to the underside of the cap 110.
[0043] A relief tube 314 has both a first (upper) end and a second (lower) end. Relief tube 314 allows the pressurized fluid to escape the body 102. In one embodiment, the upper end of relief tube 314 may be press-fit into the underside of the cap 110 utilizing an o-ring (not pictured) to form a seal.
[0044] A flexible conduit 322 has both a first (upper) end and a second (lower) end. The lower end of flexible conduit 322 is connected to the relief tube 314. Pressurized fluid which rises through the relief tube 314, passes through the cap 110 and then, in one or more embodiments, the upper end of relief tube 314 may be barbed to connect to the flexible conduit 322. The upper end of the flexible conduit 322 passes through nozzle base 116 and is attached to the spray nozzle 120. In one or more embodiments, the spray nozzle 120 may be barbed, and flexible conduit 322 is press-fit over the barbs to form a connection. The pressurized fluid, having entered the nozzle base 116, then attains the desired spray characteristics determined by the positioning of the adjustable spray screw cap 118 and the spray nozzle 120 as described in more detail above.
[0045] The plunger shaft 302 is disposed within a shaft guide 406. When depressed, air is forced into the pump shaft 316 and into body 102 through a one-way pump valve 410 that allows air to flow past the valve into body 302 but not backwards into pump shaft 316. This causes pressure to increase within body 102. A relief tube extension 408 is connected to relief tube 314, which in turn is connected to the underside of cap 110. In one embodiment, relief tube extension 408 may be press-fit into relief tube 314. A through hole 606 (shown in
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[0047] Referring now to
[0048] Referring now to
[0049] Referring now to
[0050] Intake indentation 808 and intake hole 810 serve the purpose of mixing air into the released fluid at the user's discretion. Allowing air to be mixed in with the fluid allows the user to conserve fluid while still providing a powerful stream, mist or shower to be released from nozzle 116. Thus, for example, if the user wants to use the fluid from the bottle to wash dishes while camping and wants to conserve water while enabling a powerful spray, he or she can pull relief tube extension 408 downward slightly to expose intake indentation 808 and intake hole 810, which allows air to be mixed in with the released fluid. Pushing relief tube extension 408 upward to cover intake indentation 808 and intake hole 810 prevents any air from mixing with the fluid or water.
[0051] Turning now to
[0052] Handle assembly 1114 has a first side 1116 and a second side 1118. First side 1116 and second side 1118 may be connected to one another by screws 1160 (either two, three or four screws can be used, or possibly more). Handle assembly 1114 may enclose a slide trigger 1122. Slide trigger 1122 may have a raised portion 1124 to enable easy movement of slide trigger 1122 back and forth, i.e., longitudinally in the body of handle assembly 1114. Slide trigger 1122 also a holed flange 1126. Holed flange 1126 allows a roller 1130 to be affixed to slide trigger 1122 with a dowel pin 1128. The movement of slide trigger 1 122 within handle assembly 1 114 controls the flow of liquid through flexible tube 1110 by moving the roller 1130 back and forth on ramp 1120 which is inclined relative to the length of the handle assembly 1114 thereby compressing flexible tube 1110 between the roller 1130 and ramp 1120.
[0053] Flexible tube 1110 exits handle assembly 1114 and is affixed to a second barbed fitting 1138. Barbed fitting 1138 is fitted into an outlet nozzle 1 140. Outlet nozzle 1 140 and barbed fitting 1130 are held in position by an outlet cap 1142 which may have a threaded portion 1144. The threaded portion 1144 of outlet cap 1142 is threaded onto a corresponding threaded portion 1136 of handle assembly 1114. Outlet cap 142 may have knurled or grooved features 1146 to provide a better grip.
[0054] In one embodiment, as shown in
[0055] First side 1116 of handle assembly 1114 can further include a recessed portion 1132 or cavity configured to house a magnet 1134 that allows for attachment of the handle assembly 1114 to a ferrous surface.
[0056] As shown in
[0057] Turning now to
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[0059] Trigger lock 1200 has a bottle cap grip 1210, a nozzle hood 1220, and a trigger lip 1230. Nozzle hood 1220 is shaped to blanked nozzle 116 on cap 110 of container 100, and bottle cap grip 1210 fits atop the rim of cap 110. As shown in
[0060] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.